MONTROSE – A changing of the guard of sorts took place Thursday afternoon at the Lee County Sheriff’s office.
Current Sheriff Stacy Weber and Chief Deputy Will Conlee bade farewell to a throng of people gathered in the conference room, including other area county sheriffs, Iowa State Patrol officers, area police officers, Lee County Jail personnel, county officials, family, and current officers.
The two officially went 10-42, which is police code for end of tour of duty, before 4 p.m. with a sendoff from LeeComm over the countywide digital radio system.
LeeComm Director Tony Keefe gave a few prepared remarks at the reception.
Keefe joked time has been the commander of Weber's and Conlee’s careers, although they weren’t getting watches for their retirement.
“For Stacy and Will, the clock wasn’t just a reminder to the start of the day, it dictated every aspect of it. Calls would come in at all hours, sometimes in the dead of night, or just when dinner was served and both of you answered every time.”
Weber was defeated in the November general election by challenger Elliott Vandenberg by 735 votes. Weber said Conlee was offered a position in Vandenberg's administration, but decided to leave with Weber.
Keefe said Weber led with vision, courage, and a deep commitment to justice.
“Under your leadership, Stacy, the community has not only been safer, but also stronger, and united by a shared sense of trust and respect,” he said.
“And then there’s Will, the right hand. The trusted confidant, the one who’s kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Together, the two of you have formed a great team, a good balance of leadership, wisdom, and dedication.”
Weber said he’s not sure his career in criminal justice is over. He said he’s applied for a few other jobs in the area and still has a private business to oversee.
“This is monumental for me, not just because it’s the end of something, but it’s also the beginning. I’ve talked to many friends. Anybody that knows me knows I hate to lose. I think I hate sour cream a little less than losing. It was bitter, but it’s what's best for the department to have a smooth transition. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble there.”
Conlee thanked Weber for the gray hair and sleep apnea. Weber said he’s been sleeping pretty well.
“You accept it and then you worry about everybody else, but then you fall back to whatever normal is,” he said.
“It’s going to be weird. I’m looking forward to figuring that out – whatever normal is.”
Following a tour in the military, Conlee started with the Fort Madison Police Department in 1998 and then moved over to the Lee County Sheriff’s office in 2000 where he’s been for close to 26 years. In 2017 when Weber won election as sheriff, Conlee was immediately installed as Chief Deputy.
Both Weber and Conlee grew up in Lee County.
Weber started in security with the Keokuk hospital and then moved in as a deputy with the Lee County Sheriff’s office where he’s been for 28 years.
“Just turning that off one day is going to be strange,” Weber said.
Weber will stay on in an administrative function until the end of the year. Vandenberg will take over as Lee County Sheriff Jan. 2.
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